New Orleans Policemen Charged with Beating Man

Three New Orleans police officers have been charged in the beating of a 64-year-old man and the assaulting of a television news producer with a crew that videotaped the incident.

The video shows two uniformed officers and two other men repeatedly punching Robert Davis in the face and body as he was being arrested Saturday night for public drunkenness in the southern U.S. city.

The Associated Press cameraman then took pictures of a third officer manhandling the producer who was holding up his credentials to the officer.

Other (CNN) video shows Mr. Davis in handcuffs lying on the ground in a pool of blood with his face badly beaten.

The three officers have been suspended and charged with battery.

The New Orleans police department has come under heavy scrutiny for their response to Hurricane Katrina. Many officers have been accused of deserting their posts or joining in the looting that broke out.